You brought up a good point Kevin. I did think it alittle odd that all those records were discarded. As far as the z number appearing on payments stubs - would that mean it would also appear in the record of pension payments? I have the schedule of payments, but that's all they sent me. I'm going to try to back into this by going for his medical records. One more question that's been bothering me. Would someone working for the railroads in 1946, be considered a federal employee? I'm still unclear as to how my grandfather wound up in a US naval hospital. Thank you for all of your help everyone! Take care, Tracy